The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #74176   Message #1303297
Posted By: Joybell
21-Oct-04 - 06:21 PM
Thread Name: Origins: The Dodger Song
Subject: RE: Origins: The Dodger Song
Yes thanks Q. I've got Kilgarriff's book. It's a great resourse. George Coppin never appears in collections like this, though. Even here in Australia. It may be that he spread his talents so widely. He built theaters, founded a town, built a pleasure garden (with zoo), started several organizations like the Masons and the ambulance service, became active in politics, was the agent for almost all of the American and English actors and other performers who came to Australia on tour during the 19th century. The fact that he was a good actor and performer, fiddler, dancer and singer seems to get lost somehow. We both noted that in the book about him, I think. If only Maurice Willson Disher had written about Coppin.

As for Toole, his book, written for him using his words, (the author followed Toole around catching gems of stories) gives a few funny "Dodger" stories. He says he had a "Dodger" costume and that he sang a "Dodger" song. Doesn't give the words, though, any more than the author of Coppin's biography.
Toole's book is charming once you get used to the late 19th century style of it. Great pictures. I first read it in the Melbourne library wearing white gloves. Such a rare old book. I later found it on the net and bought it. Almost feel I have to get a pair of white gloves to handle it. I'm raving again. Lost in a world from before I was born. Joy